Local bookstores make a great community

To paraphrase Mark Twain badly, reports of the death of independent bookstores have been greatly exaggerated.

Right around the year 2000, everyone predicted small, local booksellers would fold in the face of competition from giant chains such as Barnes & Noble. One of my favorite movies at the time was "You've Got Mail," which not only introduced us to the idea of digital dating but also focused on the damage a big-box bookstore had on a specialty family-owned shop.

As we all flocked to Barnes & Noble with its convenient cafes and row upon row of books and comfy chairs, about 1,000 indie bookstores in the U.S. folded between 2000 and 2007. I remember thinking indie bookstores would not survive the changes, which also included the advent of e-books and Amazon.

But a swing happened, in which changes might have hurt the chain stores more than the local shops. And while I still head to Barnes & Noble regularly, I find myself drawn to smaller shops, with their variety of quirky selections, at a time when the larger stores seem to be adding more nonbook selections to make up for falling book sales.

Indie bookstores, meanwhile, attracted the diehard book lovers with programming, book selection and well-read staff.

In 2005, The Reader's Loft moved from its cozy De Pere location to a brick-front, 3,300-square foot store that's part of the shops in London Alley, in part, to compete with the larger stores.

The store still stocks its shelves with both new and used selections and is home to two friendly cats. There's a fireplace in one corner and a circle of comfy, sort of antiquey chairs and couches.

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Patti Zarling(Photo: USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

About two years ago, I needed a new book club, and the selections and timing of The Reader's Loft's second-Tuesday-of-the-month book group brought me in. It's great to walk into a store where you can have a knowledgeable discussion about books with an employee who recognizes you. Someone who can offer book suggestions based on your favorite titles or authors, or who isn't afraid to tell you if they didn't like a selection. You can tell they love to read books as much as you do.

The Reader's Loft also strongly supports local and Wisconsin-based writers. The store provides space for Wisconsin authors to sign books or do book-readings.

On Saturday, the store is co-hosting Green Bay's first-ever Summer Poetry Festival from 1 to 4 p.m. outside the store, at 2069 Central Court. The event features readings by a number of Wisconsin poets, music, wine and food.

I love that.

I also love that in March, my book club read Madison-based author Judith Claire Mitchell’s book, “A Reunion of Ghosts," and that she made the trip to Green Bay to discuss her work with us.

The book is an interesting and strange tale about three sisters who agree to jointly die by suicide because of what they believe is a family curse. The book is an extended suicide note told through all perspectives, explaining the history that led to their conclusions.

During her talk, Mitchell said, "Boy, I wish we had a place like this in Madison."

It's great to be known for the Green Bay Packers and cheese curds and beer, but It's also nice to be known for this.